Tonite is the night...
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Wenger will be happy with a draw and no more injuries
By Myles Palmer
I thought Denilson would be important tonight. And that was before Fabregas dropped out with a hamstring injury.
His replacement will be Aaron Ramsey, a tenacious seventeen year old who is mobile and technical. He can play early passes accurately. Ramsey will be OK as long as he doesn't try to dribble in silly areas.
With Sagna doing the work of two men on one side, and Clichy doing the work of three on the other, Arsenal should be OK. I think they'll push up and press and keep pressing and out-run Twente.
Kolo Toure is also injured, so Djourou partners Gallas.
Arsene admitted, "It's the most problematic start, numbers-wise. If you consider at the moment we have Song at the Olympics, we have Diaby, Rosicky, Nasri, Fabregas, Eduardo, Senderos and Kolo out. I have said many times we are short of one player, and I hope I will be capable of doing something this week, or before the transfer deadline."
The first goal will be vital tonight. Absolutely crucial. All along, I've thought this match might be a draw. Arsene will be happy with an away goal, a draw, and no more injuries.
Liverpool are in Belgium tonight.
Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres have trained together but hardly played together. They had 45 minutes together against Lazio, and 45 against Villarreal, in two friendlies
In the Nou Camp, Alex Hleb might play his first competitive game for Barcelona against Wislaw Krakow. It will be interesting to see if new coach pep Guardiola starts new man Seydou Keita or Yaya Toure in central midfield.
Probable teams :
ARSENAL (4-4-2): Almunia; Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy; Eboué, Denilson,Ramsey, Walcott; Adebayor, Van Persie.
FC TWENTE (4-5-1): Boschker; Wilkshire, Wielaert, Douglas, Braafheid; Tiote,Brama, Janssen, Denneboom, Arnautovic; Elia
Referee: Mr. Mallenco (Spain)
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena; Kuyt, Plessis,Alonso, Benayoun; Keane, Torres.
STANDARD LIEGE (4-4-2): Espinoza; Marcos, Sarr, Fellaini, Dante; Dalmat, Witsul, Defour, Toama; Mbokani, De Camargo.
Referee: Mr Ovrebo (Norway).
Aug 13, 2008